CSR of UPL: Involving communities improve conservation of Sarus Crane

UPL Limited, under its CSR initiative, started Sarus Crane conservation project in Kheda region of Gujarat two years back, the project saw significant improvement with local community involvement. Efforts are presently being made to ensure this species is preserved and conserved for future generations.

Sarus crane, an agriculture wetland dominant species has been living in harmonious relationhip with humans from memories.

“The project from the year 2015 till 2017 has documented 500 Sarus cranes from just Kheda district alone covering all the seasons. Which establishes the need for a more systematic and rigorous Sarus crane count in the state to ascertain more realistic population numbers, their distribution and local migrations to formulate conservation plans for the habitats used by the species for its survival and reproduction involving the local communities.”, a report on Sarus Crane Conservation revealed.

The report is based on UPL Limited recent experiences on ongoing conservation project of Sarus Crane in Kheda district of Gujarat.

“The Sarus is going through a population decline from the last two decades, more due to habitat loss, poaching and modern linear infrastructure developments. The last Sarus crane population count in 2010 has documented 1599 Sarus cranes in the Gujarat state while 1963 Sarus cranes were documented in 2007, decline of 18.54% in just three years.”, a report added.



The UPL Vashudha Programme

Vashudha is Sanskrit means ‘Mother Earth’, the giver of all wealth. UPL’s Vasudha programme is an integrated nature conservation effort that involves all the stakeholders. UPL has believed in protecting and promoting a green environment. Most of its programmes under Vasudha aims to create public awareness about environment conservation and the need to adopt sustainable actions.

Sarus Cranes in India

There are 15 species of cranes found in the world today. Out of the 6 that are found in India, only Sarus Crane (Grus antigone) is a resident species. The Sarus Crane is nearly six feet tall with a wings pan of eight feet and it is the world’s tallest flying bird. These are known to use wetlands and agriculture fields and live in association with human beings. In Gujarat, they are found in Ahmedabad, Anand, Baroda and Kheda districts.